What to buy? (Aprilia RSV)

[Rilot]

Having sold the Jaaaaaaag I'm now in a position to get back on two wheels. I'm going to buy in the next few weeks and hopefully get a winter bargain.
But, I'm in a quandary. Which model and how much?
Back in 2008 I had a 2006 RSV1000R Factory in black with the gold frame. It was a great bike but I sold it due to losing my job and needing something that was more comfortable to ride. Now, I just need the bike to scratch an itch.

So, I've got a £6k budget and these are my options as I see them:

Spend £3.5k on a late gen1 RSVR and have loads of change for mods.

Spend £4.5k on an early gen2 RSV Factory and have loads of change for mods.

Spend £6k+ on a late model (2006+) RSV Factory like I had before.

Sod the idea of a Factory and get a very late model (2008+) RSV-R with the Ohlins suspension but minus the carbon and the OZ that the Factory model has.

Go mad and buy a Tuono Factory and ride everywhere on the back wheel

What would you buy?

 

[Rilot]

Get a really nice RSV (non R/Factory) for less money, get the standard Showa forks re-valved, buy a decent rear shock (e.g. Maxton) and get a pair of s/h Oz wheels. That way you have something that handles as well as or better than the R/Factory and as a bonus you won't have the replace the fork seals every other week.

In fact do this right and you might just squeeze a pair of carbon wheels into the budget (£2600 a pair for BST wheels).

Not a bad shout but the fork seals can be solved using Suzuki items. I did this on my old RSV Factory and never had a problem with them blowing.

Grrr, decisions decisions.

 

[Rilot]

CER

What's a CER? Am I being stupid for not knowing?

[edit]
Never mind, Colin Edwards Replica, got it. I'd love one but there's none for sale in the UK at the moment that I can find.
[/edit]

 

[Rilot]

I remember that bike, but didn't you find it really uncomfy, even after fitting helibars?

If you just want to scratch an itch and have fun, how about something like a super duke or Z1000?

Edit - just seen the Tuono consideration - you should go for that. You can't have proper fun if you're not comfortable, at least not for long.

The main issue with the RSVR was that I was commuting on it. It was murder on the wrists at low speed.

 

[Rilot]

Everything you (and others) have said about the size is making me seriously consider a mint, late model Gen 1. That one in the first pic is on sale for £3.5k at the moment and has 4000 miles on it.
Bargain.

 

[Rilot]

Well, I bought a 2008 Tuono Factory. It's absolutely mint. Well chuffed.
Pics in the show us your bikes thread.

 

[Rilot]

Oh dear. The credit card is getting hammered.
I've not even got the bike yet and I've already bought:

Mivv carbon high-level pipes
Aprilia Performance rearsets
ASV stubby levers
MLP clutch slave cylinder
15 tooth front sprocket (1 down)
42 tooth rear sprocket (2 up)